ABSTRACT
Political protests as social performances Every action – it’s a step, I hope, towards where we are going. Sometimes a big step, sometimes a small one, but that’s how I see it. (Irina)
In the previous chapters, I have demonstrated how activist identity in Oborona is constructed through intellectualism, dissidence, cosmopolitanism and youthful ‘action’. At the same time, Oborona activists draw parallels between the dissidents’ struggle against the totalitarian state and their own struggle for the western model of democracy in contemporary Russia. Oborona activists’ understanding of democracy combines elements of western and eastern liberal theories and Soviet ideas by emphasizing the individual rights of citizens and seeing civil society as a counter-force to the state, but at the same time leaning on ideas of the need for a strong leader and unity of the country. All these elements are reflected in the movement’s repertoire of action. The intelligentsia’s traditional role as the ‘educator’ is performed in various seminars and training events that Oborona organizes. Their international connections and Oborona as part of a wider democratic struggle, are reflected in various support meetings that Oborona participates in, such as the demonstrations in support of the ‘Green’ revolution in Iran as well as the support rallies for the Belarusian opposition and visits to Belarus when there are opposition protests. Activist identities are performed in the mass protests and street performances, which are most often targeted against the personified enemy: Vladimir Putin.
